Best hotels in Cologne

How to Find the Best Cologne Hotels with Hotels.com

Cologne is the fourth-largest city in Germany and probably one of the oldest ones as well. Founded in the first century A.D., it was the capital of Germania Inferior, a Roman Province, until it was occupied by the Franks in 462. The city served as an important trade route during the Middle Ages and went through heavy bombing from the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. An extensive rebuilding project followed after the war, giving the city both a historic and modern feel. Today the city has much to offer the would-be visitor. Hotels.com has an extensive listing of Cologne hotels that the traveler can consider. Because Cologne is such a large city, it can be difficult to choose a good hotel, but Hotels.com solves that problem by having an extensive listing of hotels in Cologne. With Hotels.com's excellent guest-rating system, visitors need not be concerned about booking a poor hotel. Hotels.com has a generous amount of interior photos of each hotel, which gives travelers a great preview of the rooms.

What's Cologne Like?

Cologne is an impressive city. The Hahnentorburg Gate was constructed between 1235 and 1240, and was originally meant for defensive purposes. The landmark has undergone a number of incarnations, serving at various times as a jail, exposition hall, and a museum. Since 1988, it has been owned by a carnival society. Visitors might also be interested in the Cologne Cathedral, which is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting around 20,000 visitors a day. Construction on the cathedral was begun in the late 1200s and went through a variety of budget setbacks throughout the next two centuries, leaving it incomplete in the 15th century. The famous landmark was finally completed in 1880. Visitors will be interested to know that this cathedral has the second tallest set of spires in the world. For the visitor who is looking for a more "out of the box" experience, the Imhoff Chocolate Museum is located in Cologne and chronicles the history of chocolate - "the food of the Gods" - from the Mayas to the Olmecs and also covers many of the modern-day production methods. There is a large chocolate fountain, and yes, visitors are free to get a taste!

Tips for Getting Along with Locals in Cologne Hotels

When visiting Cologne, it is important to know something about German culture. Germans tend to be very formal and can appear very reserved at first. Be sure to pick up a German phrasebook if your German skills are not up to speed, although most people speak at least some basic English. Most Cologne hotels will have maps available for you. Germans love their beer, and this is also true in Cologne. If you go to a brewery or restaurant and order beer, make you cover your beer glass if you do not want more, otherwise the waiter may automatically bring you another Koelsch - the local beer. As with any large tourist city, there is a small amount of crime, so watch out for pickpockets while you are exploring. In Cologne, there are only a few areas that are devoted to non-smoking. Moreover, Cologne is notorious for not having a very large amount of public toilets. Although you can use the bathroom in any restaurant or bar, you should be prepared to pay for the privilege if you are not patronizing the bar or restaurant. Hotels.com is your place for hotels - enjoy your trip from all of us at Hotels.com!